In his writing prime, Mark Twain reportedly earned five dollars for each word that he wrote in articles that were published.
Even without considering inflation, this is good pay. A friend once playfully sent him a letter with a five dollar bill enclosed. He requested that Mark Twain send him his favorite word.
The latest news out of the State Budget Office confirmed what most state government observers have feared for some time. Wisconsin is facing its most serious budget deficit on record.
Like their counterparts in Washington, state policy makers confront serious choices as they manage Wisconsin’s fiscal house.
Like other crises, financial difficulties can be defining. For it is the choices we make when faced with hard decisions that define who we are and say more about what we value. It is at such times that we are in greatest need of principles and values to guide our judgment and clarify our vision.
The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus which means coming. During Advent we wait patiently for the coming of Jesus. According to the General Norms for the Liturgical Year and Calendar, Advent has a two-fold character. It is a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ’s first coming to us is remembered. It is also a season when that first remembrance directs our minds and hearts to remember Christ’s second coming at the end of time. Thus Advent is a season of devout and joyful expectation.
Mary is the model of Advent waiting for us because she joyfully, prayerfully, and patiently waited for the birth of Jesus whom she carried in her womb close to her heart.
Now begins the sending and receiving of greeting cards by the hundreds of thousands. May you enjoy both, especially the messages going and coming to and from your family and friends and all.
Basically, even though you and I do not wear any postage, we might think of ourselves as a greeting all year round. That is because every time a Mass ends, we are sent to our families, friends, and all with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Months ago I had a conversation with my father that will stick in my memory forever. I told him Barack Obama was a lock to be our next president.
My father who was born in 1940 and raised me to believe all people were created equal regardless of their skin color told me, “I don’t believe the people of the United States will elect an African American in my lifetime.”
Central Standard Time and Sunday morning recently had one of their twice yearly encounters.
Remembering to set the clock back and getting to Mass on time is always a pleasant accomplishment in spite of now having to turn the lights on a little earlier.
The Steering Committee (for Comprehensive Schools Planning) met for a second time on October 14 and assembled in four teams, each of which will lead one of the four areas of our study and planning.
In the United States, only about half of those who were eligible to vote actually cast ballots during the last national election.
I admit I have not always voted in the past. When I am tempted not to vote, however, I think back to a story I once heard about a certain Aunt Katherine who died a few years ago. She was blind during the last months of her life, but she had her daughter read the ballot to her and fill it out on her behalf. She was careful to sign the ballot and make sure it was mailed.
My wife and I live in a small village with a small Catholic parish and no Catholic school. Our children, however, all attend Catholic schools.
Of course, this means a lot of driving, which is a cost in both gas and hours spent in the car each week. Everyone else in our parish attends the local public school, which is within walking distance or not more than a five minute drive for most.
By naming October as Respect Life Month, we emphasize learning about the many issues that tear down or build up the Culture of Life. In addition, we focus on the actions that positively or negatively affect this culture.
What is the Culture of Life? How do you know if you are tearing down or building up in your home, your school, or your work place? Some very simple measures are to celebrate life in our day to day living.
